The clash was due to take place at on Friday but has been moved forward to Satruday afternoon nstead after both country's Football Associations came to an agreement that the match could not go ahead as initially planned.

"The game against Russia has been postponed by the match officials. After agreement between both FA's, the game will be played tomorrow, 3pm," the Irish FA tweeted from its official account.

Northern Ireland is currently fourth in Group F, five points off qualification, with Israel level on points with Portugal but ahead on goal differential for second place.

Fabio Capello's Russia side is top of the group by four points, meanwhile, having won all four of its games so far.